Early Detection is the Game-Changer!
On this World Lung Cancer Day, Sapthagiri Super Speciality Clinic takes pride in amplifying the critical voice of our expert, Dr. Sunil Kumar K, Interventional Pulmonologist at Aster CMI Hospital, whose statements have been featured in national media highlighting key issues around lung cancer.
Early Detection is the Game-Changer
Dr. Sunil Kumar emphasizes that late diagnosis remains one of the biggest challenges in lung cancer care. Most patients ignore initial symptoms such as:
1. Persistent mild cough, 2. Shortness of breath, 3. Chest pain, 4. Fatigue or unexplained weight loss.
By the time they seek medical attention, the disease has often progressed to an advanced stage. He strongly recommends low-dose CT scans, which are now capable of detecting even small tumours early, dramatically improving the chances of curative treatment. As he states:
“With early-stage detection, patients may avoid chemotherapy or radiation altogether, instead benefiting from surgery or targeted therapies.”
Indoor Pollution: A Silent Threat for Non-Smoking Women
In another critical observation, Dr. Sunil highlights a disturbing trend: an increase in lung cancer cases among non-smoking women, especially homemakers and those over 40. The cause? Chronic exposure to indoor air pollution — a silent and often overlooked factor.
Poorly ventilated kitchens, mosquito coils, incense smoke, and construction dust contribute to a toxic indoor environment. This prolonged exposure, according to Dr. Sunil, is as harmful as smoking.
“Prolonged exposure to indoor pollutants, especially in Indian homes, is a major overlooked risk factor.”
What Makes This Heartbreaking: It’s Preventable
Dr. Sunil urges communities to:
1. Invest in better ventilation
2. Switch to cleaner fuels like LPG
3. Reduce use of incense sticks or mosquito coils
4. Regularly clean and dust living areas.
Pay attention to early symptoms and seek a chest X-ray or CT scan if symptoms persist.
At Sapthagiri Super Speciality Clinic, we echo Dr. Sunil’s call for early intervention, risk awareness, and timely screenings. On this World Lung Cancer Day, let’s commit to acting early and breathing easy.
Don't wait. Investigate.
